The Newton Free Library has received a one-year, $16,700 grant to expand its STEAM and coding programs to include robotics for children, teens, and adults. The funds will be used to acquire HexBugs, littleBits, Kibo, Finch Robots, Lego WeDo, Arduino Learning Kits, and related furnishings and equipment. The grant is from the Federal Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. The grant will enable the Library to offer ten free, hands-on programs this year — including last week’s What Me, Code? session and upcoming Arduino instruction.
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BSCE Online Bridge Design Contest has Started, Ends Apr. 22
The Boston Society for Civil Engineers sponsors its annual Ralph Salvucci Online Bridge Competition — the Massachusetts sub-contest of the national Engineering Encounters Bridge Design Contest. Massachusetts students in Grades 6-12, in teams of 1 or 2, use free software provided by the contest to design the cheapest bridge that can carry the specified truck. Design your bridge, click on the truck, and see if it holds up or crashes. The top 20 teams will be invited to the Awards Banquet as free guests. All local contestants are automatically entered in the national contest. Check out the flyer (PDF), see the rules, then register (using local code RSOB) and download the software, and submit your design by 1PM on April 22. For more information, to get help, to find a mentor, or to offer to help sponsor the contest, email the Contest Coordinator, Alex Bonnar, at alex.bonnar@gmail.com.
Technovation: Sign Up Now for Mentor/Coach Training This Week
The Technovation Challenge is a worldwide, technology entrepreneurship competition — featured in the movie, CodeGirl — in which each teams of five middle- or high-school girls identify problems in their local communities, build prototype mobile apps for them, develop business plans, and pitch the plans to potential investors. Teams meet for 3-4 hours weekly with female mentors from the tech/business community, January-April, in preparation for regional and worldwide events in May and June. Sign up to be a mentor/coach and participate in mentor/coach training webinars January 12, 13, and 14. (either 11AM or 8PM, each for an hour all three days). The Technovation Regional Ambassador for Massachusetts is Rachel Nicoll of the MassTLC Education Foundation. Register online to become a student participant. For more information, email info@technovationchallenge.org.
Newton Library: What Me, Code?: Coding and Robotics and Why Everyone Should Learn, Jan. 14
Through a federal grant, the Newton Free Library is sponsoring a series of workshops and classes to teach adults basic coding skills and robotics. On January 14 at 7PM, engineer and maker Kevin Osborn will explain why it’s important for everyone to have these new basic skills as computers and robots play an ever-increasing role in work and home. In the 21st century, coding is the new literacy. Free, and no registration required.
At JCC: Doktor Kaboom! LIVE WIRE! The Electricity Tour, Jan. 18
On Monday, January 18, the Leventhal-Sidman JCC (333 Nahanton Street) will present a science/comedy show for ages 4+ (with a parent): Doktor Kaboom! LIVE WIRE! The Electricity Tour. Commissioned by the Kennedy Center, the show explores electricity via Tesla coils, Van de Graaf generators, etc., explaining voltage and current, charges, conservation of energy, and plasma. Shows are at 11AM and 1PM, and tickets are $15, available either online by calling the 617-965-5226.
Sign Up Now to Help Run the Blue Lobster Bowl, Mar. 5
Every year, MIT Sea Grant’s Blue Lobster Bowl relies on 70 community volunteers to run its competitions for student teams from 24 area high-schools. This is a regional competition of the National Ocean Sciences Bowl, and this year it will be held at MIT on March 5. Volunteers must register by February 2. More details on volunteering, including required training and practice sessions, are here and here.
Girls Who Code: Summer Immersion Program
Girls Who Code will again host its 7-week Summer Immersion Program in Boston (and 17 other cities) for current high-school sophomore and junior girls. This day (non-residential) program includes intensive instruction, speakers, demos, workshops, presentations, field trips, and mentorship for careers and academics. Each Summer Immersion site embeds 20 students in a technology company or university, 9AM-4PM daily. Applications will be available on January 19, and you can sign up now to express interest and be notified of events.
PROMYS: BU’s Summer Math Program for Young (Motivated) Scientists
Applications are now available for PROMYS, a six-week (July 3-August 13) residential summer program at Boston University for strongly motivated high-school students (ages 15-19) to explore in-depth the creative world of mathematics. About 80 students are selected from a nationwide/worldwide pool based on solutions to challenging problem sets, school transcripts, teacher recommendations, and short essays explaining their interest in the program. Financial aid is available as necessary to ensure all who are selected may attend. Applications are due April 1.
Newton Library STEM Events in January
The Newton Free Library offers these STEM activities for kids in January:
CodeCampKids for Grades 6-7 (Wednesdays): CodeCampKidz is sponsoring a free series of classes to introduce students in Grades 6-7 to coding. Start with no experience and learn to build basic applications. Classes will be held on Wednesdays (January 6, 13, 20, 27) at 4:30PM in the Library’s second-floor computer center. Register for all four classes at once.
STEAM Ahead for Ages 3-5 (January 7, 4PM): The Library offers storytime for 3-5 year olds and their care givers to explore STEM and the Arts with children’s books and related activities. Space is limited, and free tickets will be available in the Children’s Room at 3:30PM.
Minecraft Club for Grades 6-12 (January 7, 4PM): Play Minecraft with friends on the Library’s server, with different challenges each session. Grades 6-12. Register online.
KIBO Robots for Ages 7-9 (January 7, 7PM): Children ages 7-9 build their own robots with KIBO, gaining experience with building, programming and decorating. Space is limited, and free tickets will be available in the Children’s Room at 6:30PM.
Teen Tinker Club for Grades 6-12 (January 21, 4PM): Explore STEAM tools such as LEGO WeDo’s and Scratch. Register online.
LEGO WeDo for Ages 7-10 (January 28, 6:30PM): Problem solving and design with LEGO models. Online registration is not yet available.
BostonTechMom’s List of STEM Activities in January
As usual, BostonTechMom provides an extensive list of STEM events and activities for the current month.